New York-based Braintrust Tutors, a tutoring platform for K-12 students, has closed on a $2.5 million seed funding round, led by West Coast firms and angel investors. Investing firms include Launch and The Syndicate, Jason Calacanis’ angel investing club; and individual investors Scott Sandell, chairman and CEO of New Enterprise Associates, and John Chambers of JC2 Ventures.
Canadian entrepreneur Jen Mendelsohn and learning specialist Mara Koffman co-founded Braintrust after discovering material deficiencies in existing learning marketplace when Mendelsohn sought help for her child’s dyslexia diagnosis in 2014. Braintrust has built what it calls a “teacher-driven” platform, and partners with schools and districts nationwide with the aim of creating high-impact tutoring interventions.
“We are thrilled to have access to such a formidable list of high-profile investors, each with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of scaling disruptive technology businesses,” said Mendelsohn, who previously founded Verdict Capital to help litigants press claims. “Their guidance and support will be invaluable in propelling us to new heights.”
Commercial Real Estate
MacKenzie Companies
Advertising / Media / Communications / Public Relations
Nevins & Associates
Financial Services / Investment Firms
Chesapeake Corporate Advisors
Commercial Real Estate
Monday Properties
Venture Capital
Blue Delta Capital Partners
Internet / Technology
Foxtrot Media
Mike Savino, president of San Francisco-based Launch, called Braintrust’s solutions the “gold standard” for schools and districts seeking effective, high-dosage academic interventions. “We see a generational opportunity for Braintrust to substantially close equity gaps for the millions of at-risk students who struggle to achieve proficiency with foundational reading and math skills,” he said.
Braintrust says its platform is progressive and inclusive, and designed to address the vast majority of neglected students, including 1 in 5 who have learning differences and 2 in3 that lack proficiency with reading and math. It allows parents to identify tutors and programs based on their children’s individual needs. Braintrust says its user base has more than doubled since the outbreak of Covid-19,
“We’ve built matches that really think like a learning specialist, to make sure that kids are matching not just with teachers, but the right teachers,” Koffman told Pix11.com.
